Devine Scripture

Genesis 18:31

What does Genesis 18:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 18:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 18:31 means

Abraham, reaffirming the boldness of his ongoing conversation with the Lord, once again lowered his offer, this time to twenty righteous individuals. The Lord, unflinchingly merciful, agreed to spare the city for the sake of those twenty. This continuous reduction and divine assent reveal the immense power of intercessory prayer and God's profound desire to find a reason, however small, to extend grace and avert judgment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, See now, I have undertaken to put my thoughts before the Lord: what if there are twenty there? And he said, I will have mercy because of the twenty.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he saith, `Lo, I pray thee, I have willed to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there are found there twenty?' and He saith, `I do not destroy <FI>it<Fi> , because of the twenty.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Seeing, saith he, I have once begun, I will speak to my Lord: What if twenty be found there? He said: I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Behold now, I have ventured to speak with the Lord. Perhaps there may be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for the twenty's sake.

Context

This verse presents Abraham's fifth intercessory move, lowering the number to twenty righteous, directly following the Lord's agreement for thirty in verse 30. Abraham again prefaces his request with a humble acknowledgment of his position. The Lord's consistent affirmation underscores the depth of His compassion and the power of Abraham's persistent plea, building anticipation for the final request.

v.30And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

v.31This passage

v.32And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 10:20

    by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

  • Ephesians 6:18

    with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

  • Genesis 18:27

    And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes:

  • Matthew 7:7

    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

  • Luke 11:8

    I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.

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